The latest Manchester derby ended in a forgettable 0-0 draw, with both teams struggling to find any real attacking rhythm. Manchester City’s dominance in possession didn’t translate into chances, while Manchester United offered flashes of threat without ever truly troubling Ederson. The player ratings tell the story of a sluggish, uninspired clash between two sides far from their best.
For City, Ederson earned a steady 6/10, though his involvement was minimal. In defence, Matheus Nunes and Nico O’Reilly filled in as makeshift full-backs, each doing a competent job without offering much attacking thrust. Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol had little to contend with, though Dias’ early booking forced him to be cautious. The midfield trio of Kovacic, Gundogan, and Bernardo Silva lacked tempo and dynamism, while the attack faltered—particularly Phil Foden and Kevin De Bruyne, both rated a lowly 4/10 for their anonymous displays.
Manchester United fared slightly better on the day, largely thanks to individual defensive performances. André Onana put in one of his better performances, making six saves and keeping his first home clean sheet in eight games. Casemiro stood out in midfield with a dominant display, winning 11 tackles and almost every ground duel, earning him a 67% rating. Bruno Fernandes was United’s most creative spark, creating three chances and topping the final-third passes list. In contrast, Rasmus Højlund once again struggled to make an impact, earning a disappointing 43% rating.
Ultimately, neither side looked capable of taking control, and their player ratings reflect a match devoid of real quality. City remain in a precarious fifth position, now looking over their shoulder at Newcastle with two games in hand, while United languish in 13th, with manager Ruben Amorim demanding improvements across the pitch. As far as derbies go, this was one to forget.